Warcross by Marie Lu

Probably my favorite read of 2017 so far!! From page one I was immersed into this brilliantly colorful futuristic world created by Marie Lu. Seriously, that world building though, holy cow. A story about a female hacker and bounty hunter in a world dominated by virtual reality and gaming, an unknown threat on the virtual world mixed with a dash of romance… Yup, I’m hooked. Every time I opened this book I sped through it. It is an action packed story full of twists and turns, leaving you wanting more, I promise you won’t want to put it down!

Goodreads Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all.

My Experience:

The main character, Emika Chen, was absolutely amazing. What stood out to me was that her looks were not brought up all that often. Yes, we were made aware that she was a good looking girl, but I don’t think it was ever directly said or at least not shoved down our throat. What made her desirable/relatable/likable was her brains, bravery, and personality. Her abilities and her wit. She was a character that was so much more than looks and Marie Lu never once made appearance seem more important than capabilities. I mean of course her rainbow colored hair is cool too and her tattoos, but what left an impression on me was just how strong Emika Chen was and how little physical appearance mattered.

This book was just so FREAKING good. A bounty hunter bad ass hacker female who left me feeling inspired. Emika also made me as emotionally attached to her memories as she was herself. I felt like I myself was “neurolinked” to her emotions. The incredible action filled gaming sequences that I seriously wished I could be playing in. A mysterious threat lingering through out the book and the identity of this threat keeping me at the edge of my seat. The romance that was light in stead of forced and rushed. AND OMG THAT TWIST AT THE END *gasp*. While I may have seen who the identity of the threat was coming, I did not see that twist.

This may not be the main point of the book but I wanted to include it in my review. Being a gamer myself I was thrilled reading about a world that has become obsessed with a virtual game. People enjoy themselves in this virtual world, escaping from the problems of reality. What got me was just how terrifying yet fascinating this whole concept was, and what our world could look like in the future. When do the lines of virtual reality and reality, what is real and what isn’t, start to blur? It definitely left me thinking more often than not.

This isn’t even officially out yet and I am already pacing for book 2!! I need it!!!! I need to be back in this world of reality mixed with virtual reality. Following Emika and her brilliance and the rest of the colorful characters and journeys that make up this book. Mark you calendars this is out in September 2017!!